Babette’s in Newport Coast is the place you want to be if you’re looking for a beautifully designed restaurant that offers a cool, yet romantic vibe. They’ve got wonderful and flavorful local farm to table organic foods. This is their first West Coast location; the original Babette’s opened in East Hampton, NY in 1995.

Their emphasis is “clean food” and they are very selective with presenting the best in organic, local and seasonal ingredients. Their selections support the local farmers and growers that are all about sustainability, which suits me perfectly! I was very excited when I learned that this was going to be an organic restaurant and could not wait for them to open.

I was thoroughly impressed from the minute I first stepped inside. The ambiance is very intriguing. I couldn’t decide where sit -- outside on their warm, cozy patio that felt like a little piece of southern France with overhanging olive trees or to enjoy a seat inside at their hip, hand-carved, wood bar to enjoy the coastal view and sip on one of their many creative signature cocktails. They also have a charming take away entrance with fresh pressed juices, Portola coffee and pastries, to name a few.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served and every menu has something incredibly delicious, fresh and unique to choose from. Vegan and vegetarian choices are available, too. Their poultry and beef are organic and grass-fed and the fish are wild and locally caught. (Music to my ears.)

It’s hard to decide which time of day I prefer to eat here. Starting with breakfast, their housemade, savory, turkey sausage is hard to resist and is one of my favorite breakfast side dishes. It’s mouth-watering good! Of course for me, it’s all about the omelettes and so I have plenty to pick from with their outrageous omelets made from pasture raised organic eggs, irresistible roasted herbed potatoes and fresh fruit. You don’t leave hungry at Babette’s, the portions are perfect.

I like to seek out great salads and their lunch menu offers a wide range of delicious, unique and healthy salads. My go-to is the Farmer’s Market Panzanella with pomegranate seeds, gala apples, haricot vert, radish, red bibb, crispy kale and more, topped with my choice of wild salmon. If you’re a sandwich fan, you have plenty of goodness to pick from, too.

Dinner is just as tasty with a great selection of fresh organic meats and wild fish with infused flavors from around the world. There are numerous plant -based entrees too. Their attention to detail is very much appreciated.

The service is awesome with a warm and friendly staff that will go out of their way to accommodate the patrons.

I am looking forward to my next visit to Babette’s, so that I can try some of their other wonderful dishes.